Japanese word

巷

Pronunciation

Romajichimata

Meaning

  • nounthe public

Example

その話は巷で話題になっています。so no hanashi wa chimata de wa dai ni na tte i ma su

The story is being discussed by the public.

Illustration for 巷 (the public)

More examples

その店の評判は巷に広まっています。so no mise no hyō ban wa chimata ni hiro ma tte i ma su

The reputation of the shop has spread among the public.

Core concept

Presents society as the people and everyday world outside one's private sphere.

Common phrases

  • 巷で話題になるchimata de wa dai ni na ru

    become a topic of public discussion

  • 巷の声chimata no koe

    public opinion

Similar words

世間seken: Society as viewed through its people, opinions, and social expectations.
世の中yononaka: Society and the world in which people live their daily lives.
市井shisei: Ordinary society and its people outside official or elite circles.

Definition in Japanese

世間一般の人々。se ken ip pan no hito bito

Word origin

The native Japanese word 巷 (chimata) is recorded with the older form 道股 (chimata), meaning a fork in the road, and later came to denote the wider public.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the English noun public, 巷 (chimata) can also evoke the everyday world outside formal institutions, so it often gives writing a literary or slightly distant tone.

Other meanings

  • the streetnoun

Word lists with this word